Marriage Unhindered

Doug shares 5 things marriage therapists wish couples knew before they got married.   Listener questions and comments: Sarah - How do I build trust with my fiancé after we had something happen that broke it. (3:46)   Resources: Catholic Therapists https://catholictherapists.com/   Catholic Psychotherapy https://catholicpsychotherapy.org/   Hold Me Tight https://www.amazo...

Have you suffered a traumatic event in your life or more specifically your marriage? Today on Marriage Unhindered, Dr. Joyce Mikal-Flynn joins Doug to discuss growing through trauma.   Listener questions and comments: Mary - After suffering physical traumatic injuries how do you deal with doctors who trivialized and dismiss what happened to you? (23:53) Monica - How do I navigate coping toget...

Doug shares the importance of establishing a strong emotional connection in marriage. PLUS: The Friday rant!   Listener questions and comments: Mary - Contraception gets in between a husband and a wife. (8:36) Anita - Everything you are saying are things I've said to my husband. I feel like I've been so distant. (22:43) Lorraine - Would you agree that once the honeymoon is over that you shoul...

Why do break ups happen? How do you live with a hoarder? Can AI improve your marriage? Doug goes to the mailbag answering these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Christine - I want to give you a solution: A friend of mine said that they made a very small area and her husband could be messy there. (17:41) Mike - I am a hoarder and I would like to tell you how it is good. (...

Doug shares a case study from  Impossible Marriages Redeemed  by Leila Miller. When getting married, the wife’s backup plan was divorce. After years of arguing and the husband’s alcohol abuse, hope seemed grim.   Listener questions and comments: Ted - My wife filed for divorce about a month ago and I am wondering how to keep her here or if I need to let her go. (35:11) A...

Doug shares 6 New Year’s resolutions to help marriages thrive. He also gives rules for how to limit your teens social media use and screen time.   Listener questions and comments: Tracey - My daughter took my granddaughter’s car. They think she was drunk driving but she was not and now my granddaughter is angry and wants to come live with me. What should I do? (21:59)   Resou...

What are some ways you would like to strengthen your marriage? Today on Marriage Unhindered, Doug shares how to stay focused on God’s love in your marriage. He discusses the importance of growing in virtue as a couple.   Listener questions and comments: Maria - I am struggling because I don’t receive the love and gratitude for all that I do for my family. (19:14) Hugh - My thought...

What does it mean to be joined together in matrimony? What is the difference between natural and sacramental marriage? Fr. Robert Altier joins Doug to tackle these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Robert - If the wife concealed the fact that she was infertile, is that grounds for an annulment? (12:45) Susie - We were married by a protestant minister as non-practicing Cat...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss tips for dealing with a grumpy teenager.   Listener questions and comments: Clara - How do you handle balancing your emotions and venting while dealing with teens? (22:38) Sarah - You both are super helpful. How do we speak to teens about helping around the house and being attentive to the needs of people and the household? (32:29) Len - There is a great...

Whose responsibility is it that you are in a good marriage? Doug continues to share common phrases that can help each spouse take responsibility in strengthening their marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Michelle - My husband is in recovery for drug and alcohol addiction right now, and he has taken on the addiction of working, and I want to navigate through this while he can’t...

Have you ever used ChatGPT to gain a deeper understanding of your spouse? Have you used AI to help you understand your spouse's emotions? Today, Doug discusses the harm ChatGPT is doing to marriages.   Listener questions and comments: John - My friend used ChatGPT to do therapy, but he kept it from his girlfriend. It led to the end of their relationship. (21:34) Angelica - I used AI to be pla...

Dr. Christine Bacon joins Doug to discuss her book,  The Super Couple . PLUS: 6 faulty assumptions of a super marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Kimberly - My husband was in a substance abuse program, and I didn't know about it. I found out the hard way. How can I support him from a spouse's perspective? He's not Catholic, and he's adamant about divorcing me but also wants to b...

Dr. Alexandra Marcotte joins Doug to discuss why couples fight and how to rebuild trust.   Listener questions and comments: Julia - How can you regain trust after it’s been lost? I lied to my future husband to help a friend, and I lost his trust. (11:21) Kathy - I am a graduate of DMU, and I can’t speak more highly of it. I am actually in the EFT class! (20:54)   Resources: &...

The holiday season is here, and with it comes stress and anxiety. Today on Marriage Unhindered, Dr. Johann D’Souza joins Doug to discuss the concept of Optimal Work and how it can reduce anxiety in your life.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - If you lack prudence, do you end up with depression or anxiety? (24:05) Zizi - How do I let God take care of all my worries so I don't w...

Doug explores the Knights of Columbus booklet, God’s Plan for Love and Marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Liz - I am in a marriage where my husband is not a Christian and he sees my faith as exclusive and a wedge. How do I address this? I have been married for 26 years. (21:06) Bobby - How do you connect with someone who is selfish? (39:27)   Resources: God's Plan for Lov...

Joe Sikorra joins Doug to discuss his book  Defying Gravity.  They also discuss post traumatic growth, sharing how we can heal through finding purpose and meaning in suffering and trusting in God’s will for us.   Listener questions and comments: Deedee - Is there such a thing as one type of suffering being more valuable than the other, such as spiritual over physical? (18:05)...

Monica Hinderer joins Doug to discuss tips for dealing with a grumpy teenager.   Listener questions and comments: Clara - How do you handle balancing your emotions and venting while dealing with teens? (22:24) Sarah - You both are super helpful. How do we speak to teens about helping around the house and being attentive to the needs of people and the household? (32:15) Len - There is a great...

Conor Gallagher joins Doug to discuss his book:  Raising Blue-Collar Kids in a White-Collar World.   Listener questions and comments: Ilene - What do you have to say about kids who are great in public, getting tons of praise but at home are really bad. (18:14) Paul - My mom always said 'offer it up' to any problem my kids have and we can link it to the Mass. (24:15) Brother John - Do you...

Is it healthy to never argue with your spouse? What should you do if you discover your father is having an affair? Doug answers these questions and more.   Listener questions and comments: Samantha - My friend wants to get married but the guy is not Catholic or a US citizen. What's good advice for my friend without being a know-it-all? (18:14) Stefano - How do you deal with lust in a dating r...

Doug takes on a difficult mailbag question facing many parents: whether it is better for children to divorce or endure a home marked by emotional abuse. He also explores how parenting styles can unintentionally foster narcissism in children. Listener questions and comments: Sandra – I ended a 40-year marriage after realizing staying caused psychological harm to my children. Was leaving the r...

Doug goes to the mailbag and tackles topics such as premarital relations for seniors, narcissistic sisters-in-laws, and emotional affairs.    

Doug continues to share how to solve communication problems in your marriage. He also gives advice for a woman who is fed up wither husband’s constant criticism of her little flaws.   Listener questions and comments: Robert - My wife is dealing with alcohol and your points don’t seem like they would apply to our situation. (35:49) Brenda - I have been married for 32 years. We are...

Do you feel as if there is no hope left in your marriage? Today, Bill and Carol L’Esperance join Doug to discuss their book, Road Trip: Journey of Friendship, Love, Marriage, Divorce, and Redemption.   Resources: Road Trip: Journey of Friendship, Love, Marriage, Divorce, and Redemption: Our Story for His Glory https://bit.ly/3KVnTJB   Rekindled Hearts https://relevantradio.store/pr...

Are you frustrated that you and your spouse cannot communicate without getting upset or hurt feelings? Today, Doug shares how to solve communication problems in your marriage.   Listener questions and comments: Robert - I didn't sign the divorce papers and I want to stand by my marriage vows. How do I proceed? (21:18) George - Is it better to not say anything or is it better to sleep in the l...

Pete and Carol Tomaselli join Doug to share a message of hope and healing for couples. They share their experience of healing and forgiveness through Retrouvaille.     Resources:   Marriage Unhindered https://www.marriageunhindered.com/   Happy Marriage for Life https://www.happymarriageforlife.com/   Retrouvaille https://helpourmarriage.org/